We live in a complex world. Nothing is simple. Most of us who follow Christ long to act, think and believe in a manner consistent with our relationship with God. However, this fallen world makes that task difficult.
Keith Iddings Consulting, utilizing the concept of Anchored Leadership, emphasizes the importance of three basic dimensions, all of which play a role in whether we are living out our leadership roles consistent with biblical values. The three intertwined facets—the personal, missional, and operational—must all be anchored to the solid rock.
FAITH-FILLED SERVANTHOOD
Above all else, the Anchored Leader must be entirely yielded to the King of kings. This attitude must then permeate values, perspectives, disposition, attitudes, and actions. The paradox of such leadership is that it is ultimately “follower-ship.” The Anchored “leader” is one who serves—first Christ, and secondly those with whom he or she engages. Apart from the anchor of trust empowered by the transformation of the Spirit, attempts to lead the Christ-centered organization will ultimately fail. To quote John Wesley, “Christ will be all in all, or He will be nothing.”
STRATEGIC INTEGRITY
Planning and strategy are essential to the contemporary business or non-profit. They set the direction for the organization and determine resource allocation. The framework of mission, vision, brand, market-position, and values constrains strategy. If these underpinnings of strategy are not rigorously aligned with a Christ-centered, biblical ideal, the organization easily drifts. The pressures of shifting funding sources, demographics, market demands, regulations, stakeholder whims, and global upheavals can shake even the most well-intentioned corporate aspirations. At the point of strategy, the Anchored Leader must lead with integrity if the organizational focus on Christ is to be maintained.
RESPONSIVE MANAGEMENT
Those leading organizations regularly experience the complexity of decision-making and problem solving. With annoying regularity, problems arise for which no easy answer exists. Each solution has positives that are counterbalanced by negatives. Interrelated systems mean every action will result in ripple effects, many of which cannot be easily anticipated. And in this chaotic environment, often pragmatic results seem far more important than Christ-centered values. However, the Anchored Leader must respond to the environmental and organizational forces without yielding core convictions. How to blend pragmatism and faith amidst the chaos of the marketplace challenges every Christian leader.
R. Keith Iddings, PhD
Dr. Keith Iddings is a former missionary who stumbled into higher education and found in it a fulfilling place of service. He has primarily been in the difficult role of administrator where ideas meet reality. As a provost for thirteen years at two different private, non-profit universities, he has clung to the hope that it is possible to remain true to a mission while also balancing budgets and dealing with wildly diverse (but very smart) people. There have been some successes and some flops along the way.
Keith is married to his long-time traveling companion, Carol. He has two wonderful adult children and six terrific grandchildren of whom he is immensely proud.
For more on Keith’s background, check out his resume.